In their recently released study of rural philanthropy, Foundation Grants to Rural Areas From 2005 to 2010: Trends and Patterns, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that "grants to U.S. rural-based organizations accounted for 5.5 percent of the real value of domestic grants by large foundations during 2005 to 2010, with a slight downward trend (based on Foundation Center data on grants by the largest 1,200 to 1,400 foundations.)"

Although the entire small state of Connecticut could fit into a "rural" county in the Midwest, and three Connecticut counties, Fairfield County, Hartford and New Haven, are listed in the top 244 most densely populated areas in the states (Connecticut by the Numbers), many would agree that areas in the Litchfield, Tolland and Windham counties could be considered rural (USDA).

While Connecticut's portion of the largest foundations is only a whopping 17, data from the 2014 Giving in Connecticut report based on Foundation Center data from 2012, suggests an alignment with the USDA's rural findings:

In 2012, foundations in Litchfield, Tolland and Windham counties numbered 113 or 7% of total CT foundations, and represent 2.8% in assets and not quite 4% of total giving. These figures also suggest that the foundations are smaller, as the percentage of total foundations is larger than the percentages of assets and giving.

In 2012, grantmakers in Fairfield County disbursed the majority of grant dollars (73.1%) in the state - followed by Hartford County (13.9%) and New Haven County (7.8%).

Fairfield County is home to 903 foundations, representing 56.7% of the foundations in the state and 56.8% of foundation assets held, followed by Hartford County with 300 foundations (18.8%) and 25.4% of assets and New Haven County with 184 Foundations (11.6%) and 12.8% of assets.

An innovative, collaborative initiative to end family homelessness in southeastern Connecticut was launched last month. Dubbed "INTERSECT" (Integrated Network to Employment and Re-Housing of Southeastern Connecticut), the initiative is designed to provide employment supports for families transitioning out of homelessness via the region's rapid re-housing program. It is one of five regional collaboratives that are planning and implementing two-year pilots of Secure Jobs CT across the state.

The second edition of Metro Hartford Progress Points, the result of a collaboration between nine stakeholders representing local government, businesses, nonprofits, and academic and philanthropic organizations, takes a deeper look at issues impacting the region's communities. Using key indicators to identify and map opportunities for action, the 2015 report focuses on access to better schools, jobs and stronger neighborhoods. The findings of the updated report include:

School enrollment is declining and the phenomenon has different roots in different parts of the Greater Hartford region.

Almost 50 percent of students entering Connecticut state universities and community colleges require remedial coursework and training.

65 percent of Hartford residents travel outside of Hartford for their jobs, most low-paying, and 83 percent of the jobs in Hartford are filled by people who live outside of Hartford, most in highly skilled professions.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has awarded $212,000 to eight nonprofit organizations working with immigrants and $109,000 to four nonprofits serving formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. These grants are awarded in furtherance of the Foundation's immigration and re-entry strategies adopted in 2014.

"Grant recipients were chosen based on how well they aligned with the Foundation's immigration and re-entry strategic goals and intended outcomes," says Christina Ciociola, senior vice president for grantmaking & strategy. "For the immigrant population, projects will create pathways to citizenship, promote literacy, education and employment, all leading to supporting immigrants to achieve greater civic and economic success. For the reentry strategy, projects will focus on leadership development, finding employment and housing, and providing collaborative services across multiple agencies." Read more >>

Graustein Memorial Fund Announces New Mission

David Addams, executive director of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund has announced a change in their mission: " During our planning process, the Graustein family, trustees and staff were confronted by the depth and persistence of racial and economic inequality, struck by the seeming acceptance of the status quo, concerned for the destructive effects of inequity on our individual and collective futures, and united in our resolve that rigorous attention to equity underlies our future work. To guide us as we work to help remove these barriers, the trustees have adopted a new mission, and we are eager and pleased to share it with you: The mission of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty." Read more >>

"Building the leadership capacity of youth is an effective vehicle for not only policy changes and systems transformation, but it also catalyzes academic, social and civic excellence among our next generation of leaders," said Nick Donohue, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. "A more equitable 21st century education is contingent upon a public demand for the necessary changes that will ensure students are properly prepared for college and their careers." Read more >>

Newman's Own Foundation Launches Fellowship Program

The first formal class of the innovative Newman's Own Foundation Fellowship Program has launched. The fellowship provides recent college graduates with work experience in the philanthropic sector and is designed to expand, enhance, and diversify the pipeline of new talent entering nonprofit careers.

"The Newman's Own Foundation Fellowship Program provides promising young people a meaningful experience in the nonprofit sector, which hopefully will help shape their future participation and support for this vital segment of global society," said Bob Forrester, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, and executive chairman of Newman's Own, Inc. Read more >>

Thursday, September 10, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, Crowne Plaza Hotel, DanburyAs part of their skills-based volunteering program, Boehringer Ingelheim is presenting a free legal seminar for Connecticut nonprofits. The goals for the seminar are: to provide practical explanations of laws and best practices through engaging presentations, Q&A sessions and discussion; to inform nonprofits of potential legal pitfalls and liabilities; and to identify free and reduced fee resources. No legal or HR background is required for seminar attendees and nonprofits may send more than one employee. For more information and to register, contact Mary Jean Knudsen, 203-789-4827. Learn more >>

September 18 - November 6, 2015: Rolling applicationsFor a second year, the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut is offering Danosky & Associates, LLC's Leadership Enrichment for Advancing Professionals (LEAP) for nonprofit leaders in the Northwest CT region.The eight-week program is designed to strengthen nonprofit leadership and internal systems. Matching grants for eligible participants are available by request. Learn more and register >>

The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation's 10th Annual Signature Breakfast will feature keynote speaker Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Ph. D., and the Foundation will honor a Woman Philanthropist and a Young Philanthropist, along with Aurora Women Philanthropists honorees from the past 10 years. Learn more and register >>

Fairfield County's Community Foundation's The Fund for Women and Girls' 4th Annual Girls Symposium is for parents, practitioners and individuals who work closely with girls. The full-day symposium provides learning strategies and tools for helping girls cope with some of today's most pressing issues. Keynote speakers and hands-on workshops address social media/media literacy, body image, and entertainment by budding female artists. Register >>

The Prize for Parent Organizing, a new program of The ZOOM Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations inspired by the potential of parent power to contribute to the achievement of educational equity in Connecticut. Up to five selected organizations will each receive two capacity-building grants over the course of two years (totaling $100,000-$200,000) to develop and implement a parent organizing strategy in a Connecticut city or neighborhood. Learn more >>

Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award Nominations

Friday, September 4 - Nomination DeadlineLiberty Bank invites you to nominate a Champion of Diversity for the 2015 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award.This a ward is presented annually to honor an individual who has made an oustanding and ongoing contribution to the cause of promoting and celebrating diversity in the communities served by Liberty Bank. Learn more and download a nomination form >>

The Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment was established at the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut in 2014 to benefit domestic animals and wildlife as well as environmental education and conservation in New London County through grants to nonprofit organizations. The goal of environmental grants made from the Fund will be to foster understanding of and promote action on the relationship between the health of the natural world and the health and well-being of our residents. Learn more and apply online>>

Grant Opportunities for Burlington and Bristol Area

Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 30 - Application deadlines

Main Street Community Foundation is accepting proposals for grant opportunities from two funds. The Burlington Bell Community Fund provides support to area nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for residents in Burlington and proposals are due September 15. Nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington or Wolcott may be eligible to apply for a grant from the Women & Girls' Fund. Proposals are due on September 30. Learn more and apply >>

Grants for Environmental Projects & Internships

Wednesday, September 16 - Grant application workshop

Thursday, November 19, Application deadlineThe Rockfall Foundation is entertaining applications for the 2015-16 Grant Cycle. Grants will be awarded for projects that contribute to the general environmental education of the public,promote environmental planning, contribute to the preservation of the Connecticut River watershed, or fund an internship with a non-profit organization for an environmental project. Proposals must have ties to Middlesex County in order to be considered. Learn more >>

Friday, September 18 - Application deadlineMassmutual is proud to announce the launch of their new employee-driven community investment program, Mutual Impact. This program provides nonprofit organizations in Hartford, CT and Hampden, MA counties to apply for funding in the areas of food Insecurity, family economic self-sufficiency, violence prevention & safety and early grade reading proficiency. Learn more and download the application >>

Grants for Health & Well-being for Southington Residents

Wednesday, September 23 - Letter of Intent deadlineThe Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust of the Main Street Community Foundation invites nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community to submit a letter of intent for capital projects, programs or initiatives that will enhance the health and wellbeing of Southington residents. Learn more >>

PEOPLE

Deborah Rothstein has been appointed vice president of development and donor engagement at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. In her new role, Rothstein will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic vision to all aspects of the Foundation's fund development activities. Rothstein joined Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in 2013 as a senior philanthropic services officer where her primary role has been to help individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations achieve their philanthropic goals. Prior to joining the Hartford Foundation, Rothstein served as vice president of philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford from 2009 through 2013. She was instrumental in the development of the Foundation's agency endowment program and creation of two giving circles, The Lillian Fund and The Israel Fund. Read more >>

Lesa Vanotti, senior vice president, treasurer and CFO, Torrington Savings Bank has been named to the executive committee of the Women & Girls Fund of The Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut. Ms. Vanotti has worked at Torrington Savings Bank since 1996. She is on the board of the Community Health and Wellness Center Holding Company and is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and the Financial Managers Society. "We are excited to have Lesa join our leadership team," said Barbara Dughi, Women & Girls Fund Chairperson. "She joins an outstanding group of women who are dedicated to taking the Women & Girls Fund to the next level so that we may assist even more women and families in northwest Connecticut." Read more >>

ABOUT CCP

Council membership is open to foundations (private, corporate, community), business and corporate giving programs, public charity grantmakers, bank trusts, donor-advised funds and individual philanthropists. Associate and Professional Membership in the Council is open to professionals and organizations serving the philanthropic sector. The Council benefits the larger grantmaking community, the nonprofit sector and the public in Connecticut.